A Prologue: Miles Coverdale to the Christian Reader (excerpt)

Now will I exhort thee (whosoever thou be that readest scripture) if thou find ought therein that thou understandest not, or that appeareth to be repugnant, give no temeritous nor hasty judgment thereof: but ascribe it to thine own ignorance, not to the scripture, think that thou understandest it not, or that it hath some other meaning, or that it is happly overseen of the interpreters, or wrongly printed. Again, it shall greatly help thee to understand scripture, if thou mark not only what is spoken or written, but of whom, and unto whom, with what words, at what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstance, considering what goeth before, and what followeth after.

The entire Bible is written for us, but not all the Bible is written to us.

The key to understanding Scripture is found in 2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (e.g. what is written to Israel and what is written to the Body of Christ)

Most of the Bible is about and to the God’s chosen nation of Israel: their past and their future. A small portion of the Bible concerns a mystery: God’s chosen Body of Christ of the present time.

The Pharisee Saul was converted by the Lord to be His chosen vessel before the Gentile, Kings, and the children of Israel. His Greek name is Paul. Paul was given two ministries: one during the Acts period and another after the Acts period. Paul wrote seven epistles (letters) during each ministry.

                              Paul’s Acts Epistles                                          Paul’s Post-Acts Epistles

                              (Israel: Kingdom Hope)                                   (Body of Christ: Heavenly Hope)

                              Galatians                                                           Philippians

                              1 Thessalonians                                                Ephesians

                              2 Thessalonians                                                Colossians

                              Hebrews                                                             Philemon

                              1 Corinthians                                                    1 Timothy

                              2 Corinthians                                                    Titus

                              Romans                                                             2 Timothy

The seven post-Acts letters of Paul include the mystery and doctrine of the called-out, which is Christ’s body with Christ as its Head. This body was chosen in Christ by God before the foundation (overthrow) of the world to be holy and without blame, blessed, adopted, and accepted in the beloved in the heavenlies (apart from Israel).

The entire Bible, except Paul’s seven post Acts Epistles, pertains to Israel and their hope of a restored millennial kingdom and reconciliation with God. The Gospel of John is written to “whosoever” in the world. The believer must understand the entire Bible in order to understand the basis of their salvation and hope as separate from that of Israel. Our focus should be on the seven post-Acts epistles of Paul concerning the superlative gospel of this age.

The seven post-Acts Epistles of Paul are God’s letters addressed to His called-out, which is the body of Christ.